Are Ultra HD TVs worth the extra money?

Are Ultra HD televisions any better than other high-definition televisions? Are they worth a buy?

Consumer Reports tested several 50-to-60-inch Ultra HD, or UHD, or 4K, sets from big names like Samsung, Sony and Panasonic to answer just that questions.

Television expert Jim Willcox, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, said Ultra HD TVs have a lot to offer.

"Ultra HD TVs have four times the number of pixels as regular high-definition sets, so they're capable of razor-sharp detail, especially if you stand up close," Willcox said.

But from farther away, the difference between ultra high-definition and high-definition can be difficult to detect. Another issue is that few shows on TV come in Ultra HD.

"Right now, there's not a lot of 4K content to watch, so that means you'll be watching a lot of regular HD content on your Ultra HD TV," Willcox said.

How does that look? Actually, quite good testers say, because the ultra high-definition sets can "upconvert" regular high definition programs to the higher resolution, making details look smoother.

"How well a TV performs this upconversion process is one of the things that differentiates sets," Willcox said.

So, should you buy an ultra high-definition tv?

"If your TV breaks, you might want to consider an Ultra HD TV. But for most people, a regular high-performing, 1080p high-definition TV is still a great option," Willcox said.

Those ultra high-definition sets Consumer Reports tested cost between $2,000 and $8,000. A great 60-inch, 1080-pixel high-definition TV costs far less.

Three of Consumer Reports' best buys include Sharp Aquos LC-60EQ10U for $1,300, Samsung Un60h6350 for $1,400 and LG 60PB6600, a plasma TV for $850 dollars.